Bulk vs Tin

[Retrogasm]

I can't remember where I heard this, it might even have been in an old thread buried somewhere here on this forum, but is there a taste difference between the bulk and the tin version of the same blend? I think the original source had it as being a result of bulk tobaccos being younger than their tin counterparts or some such.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

From time to time, I will notice subtle differences between bulk and tinned versions of the same tobacco, especially tobaccos that are packaged in vacuum sealed tins (Dunhills, Gawiths, etc.). Tinned FVF for instance, seems smoother and sweeter to me than bulk.

There's something about an extended stay in an anaerobic environment that richens or marries the flavors a bit more. In contrast bulk varieties of the same tobacco have been exposed to open air and already have their true decanted characteristics and any fermentation/aging is stalled.

 

[Smokey-smokey]

I have heard something similar, though opposite. I am no expert and my pallet isn't exactly "refined" so don't quote me on this, but I've heard that oxygen is important for aging blends and they'll age better in mason jars than in tins. Again, I don't know.

The difference in flavors between tin bulk would probably have to do with packaging, exposure to light, etc. I would also guess that bulk blends in general would have more preservatives as they are not vacuum sealed.

Just guesses.

 

[monbla256]

From time to time, I will notice subtle differences between bulk and tinned versions of the same tobacco, especially tobaccos that are packaged in vacuum sealed tins (Dunhills, Gawiths, etc.). Tinned FVF for instance, seems smoother and sweeter to me than bulk.

There's something about an extended stay in an anaerobic environment that richens or marries the flavors a bit more. In contrast bulk varieties of the same tobacco have been exposed to open air and already have their true decanted characteristics and any fermentation/aging is stalled.

D&B sums it up well. My personal experience was with the older Murray's blended 965 which . to my palate, had a marked difference in the bulk vs tinned with my preference being for the tinned version. I have not had any of the STG/Orlik bulk to compare to the tinned version they currently produce. There are not many tinned/bulk blends out there with the newer Dunhill blends having 3 available, but mostly what you find are bulk versions which are supposed to be "like" the tinned blends. I've yet to smoke a blend/mixture that is supposed to be "like" it's namesake. JMHO :twisted: :twisted:

 

[idbowman]

Generally, I think there are two major considerations:

1. Vac-sealed, tinned tobacco and tobacco that has been moved to a long-term mason-jar storage environment will age differently (my VERY loose understanding is that they both age, but the process is different and can/may/will deliver a slightly different product at the end of similar aging times. I might be making this up, but I swear I read something by G.L. Pease on the subject (and, if so, I'm sure he's much more convincing that I am).


2. Moisture levels tend to vary more widely in bulk offerings. Personally, I find that most bulk offerings tend to be drier than tinned varieties - this can be good as some tins (I'm looking at you FVF) are way to moist to smoke without some time to dry out, or it can be bad as some bulk gets so dry that it negatively affects the flavor of the tobacco (and rehydrating may not always restore it to optimal flavor).

 

[nismo270r]

One thing I have noticed between Samuel Gawith tinned vs bulk flakes is it seems the quality control on how thick flakes are cut seems to be much better with the tinned versions. Sometimes with bulk you'll find a pretty wide variance on the thickness of flakes within the same box.

 

[Brewdude]

Can't really say I've really noticed any difference between bulk vs tin. But there again I haven't done a side by side comparison.

Chris, you make a good point about the Sammy G's flakes. Yes, I've noticed that as well. But then again I tend to dry their offerings out to my liking before rubbing them out. So the difference in thickness may not be a factor under the match.

As always, JMHO and ymmv.



Cheers,

RR

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

Two things come to mind. One: C&D Star of the East in bulk is a ribbon cut, the tin is a flake, that one surprised me, I should have read more carefully, but each is equally good, so now keep both on hand. Two: Since FVF has become readily available again, it seems to me that the tinned flakes are thinner and stay moist far longer (even in the rectangular tin) than then their boxed counterparts. Other than that, I haven't noticed any significant differences.

I buy bulk whenever possible.

 

[Old Nate]

Two things come to mind. One: C&D Star of the East in bulk is a ribbon cut, the tin is a flake, that one surprised me, I should have read more carefully, but each is equally good, so now keep both on hand. Two: Since FVF has become readily available again, it seems to me that the tinned flakes are thinner and stay moist far longer (even in the rectangular tin) than then their boxed counterparts. Other than that, I haven't noticed any significant differences.

I buy bulk whenever possible.

I've only been at the pipe for a year now and FVF has always been available to me... I wonder why some of these tobaccos suddenly go into sudden obscurity, then back to normal...

 

[Thomas Tkach]

Two things come to mind. One: C&D Star of the East in bulk is a ribbon cut, the tin is a flake, that one surprised me, I should have read more carefully, but each is equally good, so now keep both on hand. Two: Since FVF has become readily available again, it seems to me that the tinned flakes are thinner and stay moist far longer (even in the rectangular tin) than then their boxed counterparts. Other than that, I haven't noticed any significant differences.

I buy bulk whenever possible.

I've only been at the pipe for a year now and FVF has always been available to me... I wonder why some of these tobaccos suddenly go into sudden obscurity, then back to normal...

It's a cyclical thing. Lots of people like them because they are very good. When there's any small hitch in availability, people get scared and stock up, which further limits availability. By then, the bourgeois capitalist pigs are also buying it up to sell or trade because the junkies will pay anything for it, further decreasing availability, raising price and demand, and so the cycle continues.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I've only been at the pipe for a year now and FVF has always been available to me... I wonder why some of these tobaccos suddenly go into sudden obscurity, then back to normal...

Two words - Internet Hype

In the case of FVF, Sam Gawith has the ability to up production in response to demand, and after a long FVF dry spell, reinforcements came in full force and it's once again readily available. Other blending houses, J. F. Germain for instance, just can't respond in the same fashion & struggle to keep up with the demand for their products. Germain can barely keep retailers supplied with their own blends let alone the Esoterica stuff or the mixtures they blend for Smoker's Haven, etc, etc.. The manager at a shop here in Sacramento that I frequent once told me that he never knows well ahead of time when they are going to receive a Germain shipment. The tobacco shows up, and the tobacco is gone..

 

[Old Nate]

Hmm, the B&M close by has 8oz bags of Blackpool, And so to Bed, Margate, and maybe Pembroke... Last I checked. This makes me think I should grab one, while I can, prob Margate but, eh...

 

[lestrout]

Yo DaveinPhilly - SOTE has a cousin product, Star of the East FLake. I asked Chris if the recipes are different, since my samples do taste different. He said no, they are the same. As a sidenote, with the recent purges of the C&D blend list, especially the big one with the merger with Laudisi, the SOTE Flake looked like it was discontinued. The printed catalog has no mention of it. But I do see it on the website.

hp
les

 

[Retrogasm]

By then, the bourgeois capitalist pigs are also buying it up to sell or trade because the junkies will pay anything for it, further decreasing availability, raising price and demand, and so the cycle continues.

We need to get our priorities straight over here in my little socialist corner of the world. I'm in favor of scrapping the free healthcare if it means getting prescriptions for Penzance every month.

 

[monbla256]

By then, the bourgeois capitalist pigs are also buying it up to sell or trade because the junkies will pay anything for it, further decreasing availability, raising price and demand, and so the cycle continues.

We need to get our priorities straight over here in my little socialist corner of the world. I'm in favor of scrapping the free healthcare if it means getting prescriptions for Penzance every month.

At your age I can understand that, but add 30 more years and you will see priorities different !! :twisted: :twisted: Or you can move over here, we don't have a healthcare system, just insurance !! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[Randy]

From time to time, I will notice subtle differences between bulk and tinned versions of the same tobacco, especially tobaccos that are packaged in vacuum sealed tins (Dunhills, Gawiths, etc.). Tinned FVF for instance, seems smoother and sweeter to me than bulk.

There's something about an extended stay in an anaerobic environment that richens or marries the flavors a bit more. In contrast bulk varieties of the same tobacco have been exposed to open air and already have their true decanted characteristics and any fermentation/aging is stalled.

It could be my imagination playing tricks on me, but it seems to me that tins taste better. I usually buy bulk at my regular place and then all of a sudden they were out and couldn’t get it in. I bought a tin which was three times the cost but to me it tasted better. That left me to wonder if I was getting the real deal aka the same quality or tobacco when I bought bulk. Like I said it could all be my imagination but tins seem to have a purer taste.